See-sawing temperatures characterised New Zealand's weather in 2009, according to Niwa's annual climate summary.

The Government is keeping close watch on the "big dry" in many regions and will consider drought assistance if conditions worsen, Agriculture Minister David Carter says.

The noughties were the warmest decade on record in New Zealand, although last year was cooler than average, latest Niwa figures show.

This Christmas is predicted to be the fairest of the decade, and hot, dry conditions are expected to last almost until the New Year.

Rare giant kokopu, which in their infancy make up part of the group known as whitebait, are to be reintroduced to Auckland waterways.

Evidence of rising temperatures in NZ is being used by Britain in an effort to lessen the fall-out from leaked scientific emails.

NZ climate scientists have criticised alleged hackers for "stealing" emails at the centre of a worldwide internet storm.

Forecast for 2100: more rain in winter and spring for the West Coast and Southland, drier for those in the east and north. Higher sea levels.

American scientists swooped over New Zealand yesterday to take measurements of greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere.

A massive iceberg spotted southwest of New Zealand by scientists working on Macquarie Island could be moving closer.

Jim Salinger lost his job for allegedly ignoring a Niwa policy against speaking to the media without approval.

Sacked NIWA scientist Jim Salinger says a call made to Jim Hickey was not in a professional capacity, as NIWA alleges, a therapist tells the ERA.